From Marine to Mentor: Dr. Al Solano’s Journey from RCC to Higher Education Leadership
When Dr. Al Solano first stepped onto the Riverside City College (RCC) campus as a veteran reentry student, he wasn’t just looking for an education—he was seeking a new mission. Having served in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Restore Hope in Somalia, he was no stranger to discipline, commitment, and hard work. But transitioning from military life to civilian education came with its own challenges. Fortunately, RCC provided the community, support, and mentorship that would shape his future in ways he never imagined.
Being a veteran reentry student at RCC was transformative for Solano. He found a strong sense of camaraderie with fellow reentry students, both veterans and non-veterans, many of whom juggled school with family responsibilities. More than just a place of learning, RCC was a reflection of the diverse community it served.
“The most important word in ‘community college’ is community,” he recalls.
While the transition wasn’t always easy, key resources at RCC helped pave the way. Financial aid, the Veterans Center, and dedicated counselors played a crucial role. In an era before streamlined online access, Solano credits the guidance he received from RCC staff in navigating the complexities of GI Bill benefits, student grants, and educational planning.
Solano originally planned to attend a community college just five minutes from home. However, after a frustrating experience where his financial aid paperwork was lost and an uninterested counselor applied makeup during his meeting, he sought an alternative. Despite RCC being a 35-minute drive away, he felt an immediate difference.
“At RCC, I was welcomed and taken seriously from day one,” he says, remembering counselor Elizabeth Iglesias, who provided him with kindness and direction.
One of the most pivotal influences in Solano’s journey was history instructor Dr. Ron Yoshino. A simple yet affirming comment—“Hey, Al, you’re doing well in my class. Keep it up.”—planted a seed of confidence that would grow throughout his academic career.
Dr. Yoshino continued to encourage Solano, strategically guiding him toward leadership opportunities and competitive transfer applications. When Yoshino suggested that Solano, who grew up in New York, consider Ivy League schools, he balked at the idea, believing institutions like Columbia and Cornell were meant for students from privileged backgrounds. But Yoshino laughed and insisted he had the potential to thrive there.
With recommendation letters from Yoshino and Iglesias, Solano applied and was accepted into several prestigious universities, ultimately choosing Cornell. Though Yoshino has since passed, his legacy lives on in Solano’s success.
Drawing from his experience, Solano offers three key insights for fellow veterans making the transition to college:
- Approach college like a deployment. Success starts with preparation—meet with a counselor, create a plan, and execute it with discipline.
- Treat it like a new duty station. Just as military bases have resources to support service members, colleges offer a wealth of services—students just need to seek them out.
- Leverage a mission-driven mindset. Engage with faculty, build relationships, and take initiative. Strong connections can make all the difference in academic and professional success.
Hailing from Queens, New York—one of the most diverse places in the world—Solano enlisted in the Marine Corps straight out of high school. After boot camp at Parris Island and a posting at Camp Pendleton, California became his new home.
Following his military service, he knew education was the key to a better future for himself and his family. That journey, which started at RCC, led him to Cornell University and later a doctorate in education from UCLA—while working full-time as a school principal.
Solano’s career in education began in K-12, but he later transitioned to higher education, helping community colleges secure and implement millions in U.S. Department of Education and National Science Foundation grants. Recognized for his expertise in turning grant initiatives into real impact, he founded the Continuous Learning Institute in 2009. Since then, he has worked with community colleges nationwide, coaching them on strategic planning, process improvement, and institutional effectiveness. His strong record for getting results was recently highlighted by Columbia University’s Community College Research Center.
Despite his national reach, serving RCC holds a special significance for Solano. The institution that set him on his path now benefits from his expertise and passion for student success.
Solano credits RCC’s exceptional faculty with preparing him for the rigorous academic challenges of Cornell. He emphasized, “One thing that made a huge difference in my journey was being intentional about my courses. If I sensed that an instructor wasn’t invested in student success, I dropped the class. I wasn’t looking for easy courses—I was looking for faculty who cared. The professors who were committed to continuously improving their teaching and doing everything possible to help students succeed made all the difference. That mindset—seeking out great teachers and putting in the work—prepared me for Cornell.”
Dr. Al Solano’s journey from RCC student to national education leader is a testament to the power of mentorship, perseverance, and community. His story serves as an inspiration to veteran reentry students and anyone facing the challenges of academic and career transitions. RCC was not just a stepping stone in his journey—it was the foundation upon which he built a career dedicated to helping others succeed.
For those considering their own path at RCC, Solano’s advice is simple: embrace the community, seek out great mentors, and never underestimate your own potential. After all, as his mentor once told him, “You would add value to any institution.”